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Steven Pienaar is set to make a career-defining move in 2011, but the midfielder is keeping his trump card very close to his chest.
The Bafana Bafana star's contract with Everton expires in six months and he has several suitors trying to lure him from Goodison Park.
The 28-year-old has not stated his preferred destination or whether he is indeed waving farewell to David Moyes' tutelage.
Pienaar has, however, stated he has ambitions of playing in the UEFA Champions League and wants the Toffees to bolster their squad to challenge for a top-four spot.
With neither objective likely to occur at Everton in the near future, it looks like Tottenham's £1.5million offer for the player may just be enough to lure him away from the club.
Pienaar would not only be rubbing shoulders with the best in world football if he joined Spurs, who now boast European expeditions in midweek, he would also see his weekly wage rise by around £500 000.
Gareth Bale is the automatic first-choice on Tottenham's left flank - a position 'Schillo' has thrived in at Goodison.
But as his agent Rob Moore points out, Pienaar can play across the park.
"Steven can play across midfield. He has played right midfield for South Africa and Ajax Amsterdam, and can play in the middle," said Moore.
"Pienaar's sporting objectives and financial considerations must be balanced. Maybe Pienaar goes to a club where he can earn a lot of money, but doesn't stand a realistic chance of fighting for honours.
"Maybe he earns a bit less, but has a better chance of honours. At 28, he still has big ambitions, and the next step is critical."
Inter Milan have also been linked with Pienaar, as have Arsenal and Manchester United.
But it looks like Moyes still holds a little hope of the playmaker staying put as he looks to tinker with the South African's position.
"I've considered playing Steven Pienaar in more of an attacking role. He plays there for South Africa and maybe a bigger involvement in that role will help us create more opportunities, even if it might not help me score more goals," he said.
"His goal scoring is the one thing he maybe doesn't get enough of. He's capable of doing it. I'm not sure if you'd put him in the natural category but I'd play him off a front man. It's something I could look to anyway.
"His creativity there would be a plus."
Sadly for Moyes and Everton, it looks like they are going to be minus Pienaar by the end of the transfer window.
The Bafana Bafana star's contract with Everton expires in six months and he has several suitors trying to lure him from Goodison Park.
The 28-year-old has not stated his preferred destination or whether he is indeed waving farewell to David Moyes' tutelage.
Pienaar has, however, stated he has ambitions of playing in the UEFA Champions League and wants the Toffees to bolster their squad to challenge for a top-four spot.
With neither objective likely to occur at Everton in the near future, it looks like Tottenham's £1.5million offer for the player may just be enough to lure him away from the club.
Pienaar would not only be rubbing shoulders with the best in world football if he joined Spurs, who now boast European expeditions in midweek, he would also see his weekly wage rise by around £500 000.
Gareth Bale is the automatic first-choice on Tottenham's left flank - a position 'Schillo' has thrived in at Goodison.
But as his agent Rob Moore points out, Pienaar can play across the park.
"Steven can play across midfield. He has played right midfield for South Africa and Ajax Amsterdam, and can play in the middle," said Moore.
"Pienaar's sporting objectives and financial considerations must be balanced. Maybe Pienaar goes to a club where he can earn a lot of money, but doesn't stand a realistic chance of fighting for honours.
"Maybe he earns a bit less, but has a better chance of honours. At 28, he still has big ambitions, and the next step is critical."
Inter Milan have also been linked with Pienaar, as have Arsenal and Manchester United.
But it looks like Moyes still holds a little hope of the playmaker staying put as he looks to tinker with the South African's position.
"I've considered playing Steven Pienaar in more of an attacking role. He plays there for South Africa and maybe a bigger involvement in that role will help us create more opportunities, even if it might not help me score more goals," he said.
"His goal scoring is the one thing he maybe doesn't get enough of. He's capable of doing it. I'm not sure if you'd put him in the natural category but I'd play him off a front man. It's something I could look to anyway.
"His creativity there would be a plus."
Sadly for Moyes and Everton, it looks like they are going to be minus Pienaar by the end of the transfer window.
